Sweet Bead Studio — Handcrafted jewelry by Cindy Wimmer

Boot Camp

by Cindy on May 16, 2011

When you have a household of boys and no girls (except for me, the Queen Bee), you kinda figure that beading birthday parties aren’t going to happen. No pink princess parties, no glamour-girl shindigs. What we DID have yesterday here at Fort Wimmer was an all-out bootcamp/Army soldier/Nerf party. And somehow the opportunity to make jewelry presented itself. I made dog tags! Each boy was given a hand-stamped dog tag (which had undergone full indoctrination in my tumbler) and it was an afternoon full of all-boy craziness.

Signing off – have a great week!

{ 35 comments }

Come along with me…

by Cindy on May 13, 2011

Would you like to take a little day trip without having to leave your home? I’d love to take you to one of my favorite bakeries and then on a visit to a National Historic Landmark home. On Mother’s Day, we spent the day in Leesburg (yes, yet again), and visited these places and more. Leesburg is the best local destination around and I go as often as I can. I’ve blogged about this town here, here and here. 🙂

Let’s keep our priorities straight go directly to Mom’s Apple Pie first. No sense in peeking, we’re heading in!

Ah, Mom’s signature cookies. Yes, they make a zillion flavors of fantastic pies, but I’ve been crazy about these frosted cookies for years. I used to buy them for the kid’s teachers when I lived near their Occoquan location. Flowers, frogs, hearts, ladybugs, you name it, they frost it!

Take a look at their bright berries, picked fresh for their pies!

Oh, and don’t forget to look up. Just love the ambiance every where you look….including the whimsical pie tin ceiling.

Are you wondering what I chose (other than a frosted cookie)? A Whoopie Pie! And I can’t say that I felt too guilty eating it, because if you were with me you’d see how the boys each wanted a bite. And then another one. It sure was as good as it looks though!

Directly across the street from the bakery, there stands a stately yellow home. As many times as we’ve visited Leesburg, why have we not discovered this home? Come with me then and explore the home of General George C. Marshall, known as Dodona Manor. You just may feel the same awe that I did as you walk the grounds and home of this famous American. George C. Marshall -Soldier of Peace- was a VMI graduate, Army War College instructor, Chief of Staff of the Army, 5-star General, Secretary of State, President of the American Red Cross, Secretary of Defense, and most notably, the recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize (1953) for the Marshall Plan.

Katherine Marshall purchased the home as a weekend retreat when her husband was the U.S. Army Chief of Staff. Our docent shared the story that Katherine put $10 down on the 4-acre home. She purportedly hit the “for sale” sign in the bushes. The original cost was $16,000.

As you stroll around the home you’ll quickly notice the beautiful gardens. The Marshalls were known to be avid gardeners.

I couldn’t resist these pictures as well….

I think I’m officially on a roll now visiting famous American homes. I’ve found the perfect combination: my fascination with old homes, and learning more about history.

Now you know when you’re in Leesburg, there are plenty of great stops for antiques. When one of my friends wished me a Happy Mother’s Day, she added that she hoped that there would be some antiquing involved. Oh she knows me so well. Just had to share these beautiful, ornate door knobs. Can you imagine being greeted by one of these beauties when you walk in to your home? Oh the stories they could tell…

I have to show you what stole my heart. I’m crazy about primitive American country -type furniture: simple, painted, chipped paint, wooden, shabby….. Not only do I have a thing for old pie safes, but something about old dry sinks draw me in too. Two are currently residing in our home. *Sigh* When I saw this sweet piece painted the perfect shade of blue….. but alas, there’s just no place for me to put it. But I’ll admit a few days later, it’s still on my mind and I can’t help but wonder if it’s sold yet….

Thank you for coming along with me to a nearby town. I hope you enjoyed the trip!

Now there’s just one thing before I sign off from this very lengthy post. I recently asked which of my Bead Trends designs you liked best and it was just about a 3-way tie. I truly appreciate all of the feedback (and kind compliments) that you gave me. I’m glad that many of you picked my wirework necklace, as it really takes me back to my jewelry designing roots. I wanted to point out that I happened to use a sweet little ceramic owl in that piece. Incidentally LeAnn of Summers Studio is having a sale in her Etsy shop right now and if you’d like, you can pick up an owl of your own!

And last but not least, the WINNER of the May 2011 issue of Bead Trends is Shelby Foxwell of Sundown Bead Designs!

Congratulations, Shelby!!

Thank you for stopping by and taking a trip with me. Until next time —

Cindy

{ 22 comments }

Bead Trends, May 2011 {Win a copy}

by Cindy on May 7, 2011

The May 2011 Bead Trends issue is out, have you seen it? You’ll find a pretty, earthy bracelet by Erin Strother gracing the cover. The jewelry and pictures inside are fantastic, oh that fine photography we have come to anticipate from Bead Trends! I was humbled to be this month’s Featured Designer, and would love to share a few of my projects with you here.

In “Wanderlust”, I really just created from the heart….twisting and coiling wire and mixing bead shapes and colors. I knew the issue would be out in the Spring, so I chose a few carved flowers and leaves. It was cold out when I created this one though, the month before Christmas. This is a long necklace, but I included a hook clasp so it could be easily doubled and worn 2 ways.

I’m excited to finally share this next necklace, “Fields of Harmony”. I knew I wanted to include a piece in the feature that would highlight a bead artist that I admired. There are just so many talented bead artists in our community! I contacted Mary Harding and asked her if she would create a pendant and coordinating beads. I was so happy when she designed a custom set just for this project! I love how her ceramic work has a bit of a rustic style to them. I created a textured backdrop for the focal and bead caps out of copper sheet metal.

“Vintage Reverie” is a showcase of my fondness for vintage bits and pieces. I gathered up some of my favorite shank metal buttons – those with great detail, and created dangles. There are some large, sparkly Swarovski crystals and vintage rhinestones mixed in as well. I riveted a fancy filigree to a piece of brass sheet metal that I cut to fit, giving the focal more substance. I love the thick brass chain, what little I still have left from my fun trip to Bead Fest Wire in 2010 (the one where Jeanette and I managed to return home via 5 states!).