The Vocal Focal Swap

by Cindy on May 4, 2012

Hello friends

Today I’m participating in a fun little blog hop hosted by Bonnie Coursolle of Jasper’s Gems.  I have really enjoyed all of the absolutely creative swap, hop, and challenge ideas that this community is dreaming up!  I wish I could participate in more, but this is the last for a while….well, until the Button Swap Blog Hop in one week! 🙂

 

Bonnie’s Vocal Focal swap was fun and easy.  In the Vocal Focal Swap, Bonnie put a spotlight on what is very often the heart of a jewelry design.   We were paired up and set off to send our partners a focal bead.  The great part about this swap was sending something pretty to someone I didn’t know, and receiving a surprise in the mail in return.   No challenge to create anything with out focal beads,  just to enjoy the trade.

 

My partner was Ginger Bishop who happens to be overseas in Japan.  It turns out I have a lot in common with Ginger, being born in Japan myself, and she’s also a Mom of a little boy.  Ginger sent me a beautiful dragon focal that she purchased locally. I thought it was the perfect focal to receive from Okinawa!   I’m planning to create a necklace on leather for one of my son’s upcoming birthday.

 

Ginger sent me a sweet little wooden Kokeshi doll along with my package.  I have a few already and now I see a collection starting….  You can learn  a little about the background of these dolls here.  Thank you so much, Ginger!

 

It must have been serendipity that my focal partner happened to be in Japan, as today happens to be a Japanese holiday: Children’s Day or Kodomo no Hi!  The 5th day of the 5th month was traditionally the Boy’s Day festival but now it is for all children, celebrating their health, growth, and happiness.

 

Carp streamers (koinobori) made from paper and cloth are used for decorations, and can be seen “swimming” in the wind throughout Japan.  A black carp is flown for the father, red for the mother, and each son in the family – ranging in size from oldest to youngest.   Now I would sure have a colorful porch if I did this…maybe next year!

I have read that carp symbolizes strength, coming from Japanese folklore.  A carp that swims upstream, demonstrating perserverance, becomes a dragon (my focal comes in to play!).

 

One of my aunts in Japan happened to send me this picture she found on the web this week – this is Tsuetate hot springs, where the carp festival originated. She has traveled here several times.  I would love to see the sight of thousands of streamers in the springtime as well!

 

Happy Children’s Day to our kids, whether they are teeny tiny or all grown up.

 

Here are the Vocal Focal participants – let’s see the focals that have found their way to new homes!

Cindy Wimmer    sweet bead studio
Ginger Bishop    Lilmummy Likes

Bonnie Coursolle       Jasper’s Gems
Andra Weber     Andra’s Joyful Journey

Renetha Stanziano     Lamplight Crafts
Lori Finney     Using My Beads

Shirley Moore     Beads and Bread
Kashmira Patel    Sadulfee…..always in Bloom!

Maybeline Tay     The Jewelry Larder 
Dee Torcherer Elgie      Cherry Obsidia

Bonnie Coursolle       Jasper’s Gems
Rhonda Baird   Design and Conquer

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Good Things

by Cindy on May 3, 2012

This post is all about Good Things.  Yes, I’m happy to have a few good things to share today.  For one, the sun is out and after an overcast, rather dreary week, that is a Great Thing.

Now let’s go straight to the Big artBLISS Giveaway! Jeanette and I were both so thankful to all of you who shared the news about our event on Twitter, Facebook, and on your blogs.  Many of you have already registered – YIPPPEEE!  That means we’ll meet you in September, if we haven’t already met.  We know you’ll have a fabulous time, learn all sorts of cool things, and connect with many like-minded art sisters (and a few brothers!).  If you have any questions at all about the event, please do not hesitate to contact me.  Without further ado….

JoAnna Caston

Dawn Gallop

Patti Vanderbloemen

Carol Wingfield Meyers

 Congrats to the lucky winners & thanks to all that entered the giveaway!

 

It’s been one of a whirlwind week in our house, one of those times when you feel like everything is happening all at once.  I hope I’m slowing down enough to enjoy the moments because they have been so meaningful and what, to me, life is all about. I’m talking about family events.

 

See this little guy?

After his game and a school Fun Fair, he changed from his uniform in to a dapper little suit.  It was his First Communion, after months of preparation with his class and his wonderful teacher.  Remember when we were figuring out what beads to chose for his rosary?  We ended up going with his birthstone, and I picked up the Swarovski crystals in person at Bead Fest. It was my 3rd time ordering an engraved crucifix and centerpiece from Lewis & Company (highly recommend them). I made rosaries for my older sons as well, and posted about them here and here.

 

And another Good Thing….

 

We found a way to get away from the hustle and bustle of life and daily routine…..  head to the country!  We joined my sister for an afternoon at the barn.  Nikki travels from DC out to the barn three times a week to visit her sweet horse, Deuce.  We enjoyed the sunshine, handing out carrot treats, and seeing a brand new foal.

 

Nikki and Deuce of Diamonds

 

Pony kisses

 

After our visit with the horses, we went on a stroll in nearby Middleburg and enjoyed lunch at one of Nikki’s favorite cafes. We stopped in a wonderful bakery, The Upper Crust of Middleburg (sorry, no website) – an absolute must if you’re in the area – for treats, including a fabulous pie called a “doughboy”….a two-crust apple and caramel pie.  Yum!

 

Thank you for stopping by and letting me share my Good Things with you.  I hope your week is filled with many Good Things too! 🙂

 

– Cindy

 

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artBLISS 2012 {exciting news & giveaway!}

by Cindy on April 24, 2012

Are you ready for artBLISS 2012?

We are excited to announce that registration is open for artBLISS 2012!

Join us for 3 full days of workshops and activities.

Dates and Location:

Sept. 21-23, 2012

Sterling, VA

 

We have an incredible line-up of instructors this year. You’ll enjoy seeing some of your favorite instructors returning, and we hope you’ll join us in welcoming those who are making their artBLISS DEBUT!

Kerry Bogert

April Bowles-Olin

Diane Cook

Christine Damm

Stacie Florer

Erin Siegel

Beth Taylor

Please visit the site to see the full range of day and evening workshops.

In addition to furthering your jewelry designing skills, this year at artBLISS, you’ll find workshops that focus on your business! By popular demand, we are once again offering a jewelry photography workshop.  And new this year, a full-day business workshop – from branding to marketing!

 

On this year’s agenda…

  • Meet and Greet Reception – your instructors will be present to share their original artwork and show class samples.  Mingle and meet new friends while enjoying appetizers and desserts.  Demos will be offered and plenty of door prizes! Open to the public, details on the website.

  • Author Signing at the Meet and Greet!   Meet the authors of two of the hottest new jewelry books out this summer/fall.  Kerry Bogert will be signing copies of Rustic Wrappings, and Erin Siegel will be signing copies Bohemian-Inspired Jewelry!

  • Don’t Trash It, Destash It! Social – We will be coordinating a bead destash on location this year. Bring your beads to swap and go home with a new stash!

  • artBLISS Annex – I’ll be bringing a little treasure trove of  flea market finds for sale – from vintage jewelry to jewelry boxes.  These goodies will be available for your perusal.  Jeanette will be bringing a selection of indespensible tools.

  • Delicious lunches will be brought in on-site for your convenience.

    Now for the GIVEAWAY!

Have you noticed our brand new website?  We have been working for some time behind the scenes with our wonderful web designer to bring you a more user-friendly website and we are proud to unveil it!

The new web design and artBLISS logo were created by the amazingly talented Brandi over at Brandi Girl Blog. Brandi sure has a way of translating a concept in to digital art.  She is flexible, patient, and is always a step ahead in the design process (thank you, Brandi!). The vintage Americana look really captures the heart of our retreat:  offering world-class workshops right here near the nation’s capitol.  The stars are custom doodles by Teresa McFayden!

 

Can you help us spread the word about artBLISS?

We will be giving away 4 prizes!  Two winners will be chosen from this giveaway post, and two winners will be chosen from those who register for a workshop during the opening week of registration!

Each of the 4 winners will receive a large, heavy cotton logo totebag…

Along with the totebag, each winner will ALSO receive metalworking supplies!  Win a new saw, blades, instructional DVD by Thomas Mann, and a tub of liver of sulfur gel (that will last for ages!).

 To enter the give away:

  • Leave a comment (1 entry)

  • Blog about the 2012 retreat (1 entry)

  • Add any one of the new blog badges to your blog – see the various badge options here (1 entry)

  • Post on Facebook or Twitter – please share the link (1 entry)

  • Register for any artBLISS 2012 workshop during the official registration opening week (April 25th through May 2nd). (1 entry)

*Giveaway closes at 11:59 p.m., EST on May 2nd.  The winners will be announced on May 3rd.   Due to the large package size, the giveaway is regrettably open to U.S. residents only.

Here are a few of our new badges – we hope you’ll chose one for your blog!

Thank you for sharing our excitement!  Good luck & we hope to see you in September!

– Cindy and Jeanette

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